“PROGNOSTICATORS” OR “A MORE SURE WORD”
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 47-48
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
A young man embraces God’s Word while standing in front of the Colosseum in Rome. Over and over in recent readings, the words, “Thus says the Lord,” appear. God desires to communicate with His human family. Romans 10:17 tells us that “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Isaiah 48:17-18
Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
Who teaches you to profit,
Who leads you by the way you should go.
Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea…”
Chapter 47 prophesies the fall and humiliation of Babylon years before it rose to become a world power. The polar opposites of God’s Prophetic Word are the efforts of astrologers, stargazers, and monthly prognosticators (47:13). The horoscopes in our newspapers contain clever generalities, as does the slip of paper inside a fortune cookie, but, as Isaiah points out, these things cannot “stand up and save you.” Babylon’s eventual destruction is inevitable as prophesied by Isaiah.
Chapter 48 prophesies that God, who has allowed His people to go through the “furnace of affliction” in order to refine them, will not forsake them. When these prophesied events come to pass, as they did, God’s people will know that their God is the “First” and the “Last” and is the One and Only God!! Isaiah 48:16 gives us a glimpse into the nature of God, One God in three Persons, “Lord God” (the Father), “His Spirit,” and “Me” (the One sent by God, God the Son). The Hebrew scholars point out that in 48:16 the singular verb, “Have sent,” is used with the plural subject. Is this a mistake in grammar or is this the verbal inspiration of the Word of God pointing to the Trinity? We see this in other places in the Hebrew Scriptures. For example, in Genesis 1:1, God, (Elohim, a plural word) “created” (a verb which is singular). Isaiah says that “The Lord your God”…”teaches” and “leads.” We should experience the result, “peace… like a river” and “righteousness like the waves of the sea.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Again today, Lord God, I ask for continued effectiveness in doing as Isaiah 48:20 urges me to “declare, proclaim…With the voice of singing,” and to “utter it to the end of the earth.” I pray that this blog, along with a multitude of other ministries, will be more and more effective than ever in convincing people everywhere that You exist and that You “are a Rewarder of them that diligently seek” You (Hebrews 11:6). I ask for these opportunities in the Name of the One Who has fully communicated Who You are, Father God, Your Son and my Saviour, Jesus Christ! Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
A while back Norma-Jean and I had dinner at a Chinese food buffet restaurant in Brantford, Ontario. I opened the fortune cookie and discovered a generality on the paper inside which could apply to anyone. It said that I would meet someone that would change my life for the better. Actually that has happened many times during my 79 years on earth, but the most far-reaching and forever change happened when I met Jesus Christ through believing His Word (John 6:37-40), and my life was forever and ever altered! When I saw the word “prognosticator” in today’s reading, I thought of that cookie. I also thought of what the Apostle Peter has written to us in 1 Peter 1:15-21. He declares, “We also have the prophetic word made more sure!”
Yours for reading, underlining, understanding, digesting and then with the spiritual energy derived from all this, proclaiming God’s message to the “end of the earth,”
David
P.S. Over 25 years ago, Crossroads began working with a group of Toronto Pastors from Chinese language churches. We produced, financed, and released weekly telecasts on Toronto’s multilingual TV station. After about two years, we encouraged the pastors to incorporate, raise their own finances from the Chinese churches, and strike out on their own, with God’s enablement. Today, this television ministry, called “Showers of Blessing Evangelistc Ministry” (SOBEM), is reaching multiplied millions all over the world, providing a mighty utterance to “the end of the earth” to all those who understand the languages of China. At the 20th anniversary of that great ministry, I was given the plaque pictured below. Here is a musical sample of this ministry. The song is called “There is a God!” With the official atheism of the People’s Republic of China, this message is so very powerful! (click here).
Click on photo to enlarge.
Yes, David, “peace… like a river” and “righteousness like the waves of the sea.” We claim the Lord as our Saviour, with the utmost of faith as our surety. For all saints in despair, today, gain strength by reading the Word, and know that you are being held lovingly by God’s gracious arms, and in prayers by your fellow saints on the blog. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
When Peace Like A River (so beautiful!!!)
Sung by Joni Eareckson-Tata and The Master’s Chorale
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6NMlFoaESM
Mary Stewart update: When told about so many people praying for her on the blog she said …that’s why my surgery went so well !!
She asked me to give this update: She has had surgery and she will be in Hospital for another 2 weeks and then re-hab for 6 weeks. A further surgery will then be required. However, she is in good spirits and trusting God with all the details.
Thank you all bloggers for your prayers!
Thank you Beverlee…one of my favorites!!!
Thank you for the update on Mary Stewart…God is so faithful!!!
Thanks Will please let Mary Stewart know that many.any, many peole are praying for her for total recovery! We also pray that she heals perfectly and we pray that she keeps her eye on Jesus as her Healer, her Saviour, her Redeemer, her brother, her Lord AMEN
David, you and your precious family have been used [and most definitely, still are] to “shower Blessings” to so many, all over the world. Thank you. The Song- There is a GOD- is very beautiful.
So much blessing in reading the Word of God. Was also good to hear the Chinese songs again as it brings back memories. Thank you Beverlee for that song and visuals, blessed my soul. What a Mighty God we serve to create all that beauty and a foretaste of what is to come. Amen! Will come you in our prayers David and Mary Stewart. Would you please pray for my niece Natalie who is having surgery on her neck tomorrow and also my brother Wilmot who is having oral surgery. Thanks so much and may God bless your day!
Lord, we bring Ger’s loved ones before You–Natalie and Wilmot, as they both prepare for surgery. Guide the hands of the surgeons who work on them; protect them with Your loving grace and light; and bring them healing and strength through the power of the Holy Spirit. May they go into the surgeries with assurance and peace. In Jesus’ precious Name, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen.
Adding my Amen to Beverlee’s prayer for those in need. I continue to covet your prayers as I have not returned to full health since my bout with severe vertigo before Christmas. Blessed to be in my Saviour’s care and the prayers of the saints.
I really loved the Chinese song that wasd played today and want to know if I can transfer it to Facebook to my Chinese friends in Taiwan. I homestayed their two children for a total of nine years and they heard the gospel and I want to send this to the family. How do I do this?
I especially liked the Chinese song. What a blessing for Crossroads to have birthed, helped to grow and set free this ministry to do what the Lord had planned for it.
Amen! Beverlee Kay. Thanks for sharing “When Peace Like a River”
It was truly inspiring with beautiful lyrics.
Praying for each one on the blog that Almighty God would bless &
heal them according to their needs.
Also the Chinese song “There is a God” was so powerful & true!
Thankyou Lord Jesus for speaking to us through this blog, Amen.
will be back…for a concentrated time
Blessings and love
Thank-you for including the Chinese song of praise. Really enjoyed the atmosphere of worship as I listened to it. Peace like a river was truly communicated by this lovely voice!
I to need. To. Have. Surgery. Done. Next. Month. On. Feb. 18. 2016
I. Too. Need. Pray. Thanks everyone. Marilyn.
Thank you for the Chinese link…I shared it with my Chinese daughter-in-love and grandchildren…hopefully it went through!!!
Praying for total and complete for you David…your ministry and that of your family is worthy of continuance!!! Blessings and strength and peace for Norma-Jean and your family as they continue to stand by you!!!
Prayers of healing for Mary Stewart, thanks so much for the update, Lord God we also bring Ger’s family before you Lord for complete healing from their surgeries, we also bring before You dear Lord Marilyn Busse who is having surgery Feb 18, we pray Lord that You will heal these precious people, that You will restore them all to excellent health for the rest of their lives, that they all may enjoy the beauty of nature, the warm weather, the songs of the birds, the blooming flowers, the sweet aroma of flowering bushes, eating a fresh tomato, hearing the laughter of children having fun, Yes, Lord, we pray for complete and total healing of all those going through health issues!
I thank you Lord that my Pastor is recovering after having a pace maker inserted, I thank you that his wife is healing from one surgery and she also is preparing for surgery in February on her hip!
I thank you Lord for the blessings of this day!
i thank you that Ken is recovering nicely!
I Pray all these prayers in the Name of Jesus Christ, ourRisen Lord and Saviour! AMEN
Bernie: I don’t know if you figured out how to transfer this blog to Facebook but a thought occured to me and I have done this sometimes…I get notified by e mail about the daily blog, after I have read it and if I wish to send it on, I click FORWARD and a copy of the entire blog goes forward and if I want someone to look at somehting special I mention that to them…..I am not very savvy on the computer but I am sure thankful I have it just for receiving the Word of God daily……
Forgive me for not posting this yesterday, Beverlee, Catherine and Sah and all those who prayed for my family today for their surgeries. I believe God is answering your prayers already. The Lord bless you all!